Experiencing Internet TV (BBC iPlayer, Joost, Mio, Apple TV)

I don’t have TV set at home; we’ve dumped it in the rubbish. Enjoying television on computer screen becomes an alternative. Internet TV here means that we’ve using online connection to download the program and then watching it (on demand TV). So don't misinterpret as watching conventional TV on computer screen. Unlike others Joost works on P2P which is different with other format. It’s bit like Digital TV but some of the program using video streaming. At the moment BBC iPlayer not available for Mac, while Apple TV is rather more friendly for iTunes user.


Joost



The unique system of Joost created millions of tester since introduced to public early 2007. I’ve got invitation and play along. The only things I spot from Joost is works based on P2P it’s runs quite smooth. Joost been created by Skype and Kazaa founder Janus Friis. The only thing that annoy me some of the programs only available in US and Canada. Most of the channels were live music or interview/documentary of the artist. Joost software quite easy to download, but it will consume your screen and bandwidth.

Predict : love it! But not for my daily basis.

MIO TV

I had a chance to try this out last year (May 2007?) for about two weeks while in Singapore. Mio TV designed for SingTel subcriber to allow user integrate with broadband to enjoy on demand programs. It looked posh –yeah yeah specially with shiny HD TV, but the interfaces was horrible. Really slow moving from one to another programs albeit buying it.
The price of programs use credits which then you paid for subscriber in the end of month. Say I bought 2000 points that would be enough for 10 programs Life Style. It integrated nicely under Window Media, only comes really clustered and painfully slow.

Most of interesting programs come free such as Top Gear from BBC (yups I finished the last season without paying it). But program for 6-10minutes cost about 200 point. Why I call Mio is ridiculously expensive.
Predict : not going to use the service for new comer, but if you already Sing Tel subscriber you’ve might go for it

Apple TV

Ok I don’t have a fancy Apple TV box but instead I enjoy it through iTunes video podcast. What you do just choose the program from iTunes directory > Apple TV and download from there. Some of the programs actually on High Definition (HD). I download from Washingtonpost.com about China through iTunes, watched it in amazement. Indeed good quality, and all you do just control the preview using Front Row. I had a chance tried out YouTube and Flickr integrated with Apple TV in Taipei Apple Store. For quality of video, Youtube came on the bottom class as most of video submitted there in low-res make it unpleasant experience.

Now Apple TV has better performance for renting video/movie. You have to watch it in 24 hours otherwise you lose it.

Predict : not going to buy it as I am already have apple computer

BBC iPlayer



Just been launched Christmas last year but iPlayer already got lot attentions in UK. BBC is really catching up in digital era by moving most of it's program download through internet. It allows back to 7 days program combined from different channel of BBC. All FREE but only for UK viewer. But already BBC has deal with Apple to sell their program on iTunes. Popular programs such : Dr Who, Ashes to Ashes or Life in Cold Blood with David Attenborough can be enjoy outside UK.
The interface quite neat and tidy. The search is not easy unless you know the name of program and the schedule on air. Once you download you’ve got 7 days to watch it and then self-deleted. I love this facility specially when you struggle with disk capacity.

Compare to Channel 4 On Demand (which it’s news collaborated with CNN), BBC need something to make search better. In Channel 4 I enjoyed Grand Design by Kevin McCloud and let you watch for longer than 7days.

Predict : love it ! but to buy through iTunes? Hmmm…

Numpak Pit di Cambridge

Melewati gang sempit di kota Cambridge saya kok jadi inget Pak Newton, Pak Darwin atau Pak Hawkins. Saya ngga punya pit tapi saya susuri pake kaki sajalah. Pikir saya mosok sih mereka itu nyepeda kalau ke kampus. Percaya atau tidak memang begitulah di Cambridge. Ngga murid, ngga guru, ngga rektor sepeda adalah alat transport utama.

Untuk sekolah disini kalau enggak super pinter ya super kaya atau kombinasi keduanya. Ada yang bapaknya anggota parlemen, raja negeri anu, atau anak perdana mentri situ. Mahasiswa-nya juga tipikal rapi jali. Ganteng dengan potongan baju dan rambut terawat, jas dengan emblem College masing2. Saya pergoki di sudut Eagle, tempat mangkalnya para jenius muda ini. Mereka cenderung sangat sopan, terlalu sopan malah. He he untung saya ngga kepincut alumni Cambridge. Mumet saya dengan aturan2.

Kota Cambridge sebagai kota pelajar dimulai abad 13 setelah beberapa pelajar melarikan diri dari Oxford. Mulailah mendirikan sekolah merangkap pendidikan gereja dengan bangunan spektakuler seperti King College. Makanya mlaku-mlaku di Cambridge itu seperti memutar jam kembali ke abad lampau.

Saya jalan dari Trinity Street melewati salah satu College yang tenang. Disini tersebar college yang kecil2 nan cantik (Downing, Emmanuel) hingga mentok ke Gereja Bundar peninggalan Norman. Singgah sebentar hingga memutuskan ke St John College. Ahya pilar-pilar masih tersisa disana. Rumput hijau ditata, hampir pasti tak pernah diinjak manusia.

Dering bel sepeda di belakang saya memudarkan lamunan. Senja mulai datang, tapi sepeda masih berkeliaran. Tiba-tiba saya ingat Djogja....dan sepeda tua saya.

Mataku Matamu

Singapura itu memang negara tukang jiplak nomer satu. Dan yang dicontek juga ngga tanggung2 apalagi kalau bukan mantan penjajahnya. Ini dia atraksi paling heboh paling tuop (halah..) seantero negeri sak cupet ini. Judulnya sih Singapore Wheel. Tapi coba aja deh liat websitenya, konsep dan penggarapan manajemen-nya meniru habis London Eye.

Sejak pembangunnya tiga tahun lalu, saya mengamati gimana sih bikin roda sak gede itu. Maklum beginilah kalau tukang. Dipetani siji siji. Dari membersihkan site sampai masang kapsul-nya. Terakhir January lalu secara struktural udah siap luncur. Katanya sih awal Maret ini mau dioperasikan. Ah ya dan tiketnya udah habis terjual jauh2 hari.


Beda antara London's Eye dengan Singapore Wheel ternyata dari cara bangunnya. Mata London diasembli di ground level diatas sungai Thames. Disambung dan ditaruh diatas semacam pelampung besar (barrage), lantas dinaikkan dengan ditarik per 2 derajat kemiringan/jam sampai posisi central. Sedang Mata Singapura dibangun di bawah dan dipasang per delapan section. Jadi pilar utama dulu baru delapan bagiannya dipasang satu persatu.

Weekend kemaren saya nengokin Mata London untuk kesekian kali. Saya kok ya ngga pernah terbersit pengen nyuba ya. Mungkin karena mahal. Sekali naik £13.50, yah miriplah sama Singapura yang SGD$29.50.

Kalau mau nonton London dari atas saya malah memilih cari yang gratisan. Nyebrang saja di Millenium Bridge menuju St Paul Cathedral. Masuk aja FREE trus menuju menaranya, sekalian mengagumi arsitektur Baroque didalam katedral ini. Mayan sih naik tangga tapi percayalah ngga rugi kok (he he he...dan ngga bayar).

Kalau Mata-nya Singapura? wah wes puas nonton dari tempat nginep saya. Atau Dagadu saja yang versi Mata-Mu Indonesia. Keep Smile Smart piss Djogja!

[Review] : Outdoor Activities in New Zealand (Week Three)

In week three we did most of activity independently and less physical demanding. The highlight must be goes to walking in Aoraki Mt Cook. It was really pretty and easy peasy. Everybody can do it including kids under 5 as I saw parents with their push chair baby. So get out and enjoy the great landscape and clean air. Initially we’ve booked Glacier Kayaking but due the storm and high wind the trip been cancelled. But hey…I can not complain as we had breathtaking trip a day before.


Glacier walks around Mt Cook
Free, pick up the map from DOC Mt Cook
or see at http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=38406

Comment : We did the Hooker Valley Track (duration 4 hrs return) and Red Tarns Track (2 hrs return). Both are quite easy and enjoyable specially the Hooker Valley.

Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 4
Adrenalin level 2
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 5
Overall : 20


Get into the Southernmost of South Island Slope Point
Free

Comment: it only need 20 minutes walk from the park, slightly remote from the sight. It was really windy on that day but yeah it's worth to see. Oh anyway apparently Slope Point is famous for surfing.
See at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slope_Point

Points :
Availability 3
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 1
Scenery 3
Photography opportunity 3
Overall : 13


Visiting Royal Albatross in Dunedin
Fee NZ$30 per person Duration about an hour
Website http://www.albatross.org.nz/

Contact Telephone +64 3 478-0499 • Fax +64 3 478-0575 •
email reservations@albatross.org.nz
or call free within New Zealand 0800 528 767


Visiting Yellow Eyed Penguin and Blue Penguin in Otago Peninsula
Free and some required donations

Comment : blue penguin can bee seen at the tip of Otago Peninsula. It free so all you need a good jacket, binocular and keep quiet. They comes in sunset with perform of waves. They are smallest penguin in the world, so don't missed it!
Yellow Eyed penguin can be seen form the private farm not far from the beach. It's behavior little bit odd which did not like being a group. This is the only solitary penguin in South Island.

Points :
Availability 3
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 1
Scenery 4
Photography opportunity 3
Overall : 14

Swimming with Dolphin Akaroa
Price NZ$110 per person

Comment : I did not doing it as I was busy wandering around Mt Sunday. Indeed it said really good. Specially lunch with fish and chips.

Contact :
Dolphins Up Close
Main Wharf, Akaroa,
New Zealand
Tel +64 3 304 7641
Fax +64 3 304 7643
Email akaroa@blackcat.co.nz
Website : http://www.swimmingwithdolphins.co.nz/

[Review] : Outdoor Activities in New Zealand (Week Two)

The highlight of the activities on week two were undoubtly the Milford Track as been regarded as the finest walks in the world by Blanche Baughan poet in 1908. But because of the popularity made it was difficult to book in short notice. Otherwise you have to pay for Guided Walk which offer ‘luxury’ walk and would cost you bitterly NZ$1850 per person compare to NZ$252 if you do independently.

Canyoning at Routeburn
Price NZ$110 per person
Duration : all day start 9:00 - 16:00 from near Routeburn Track, Glencorchy

Contact ;
PO Box 893
Queenstown NZ
Email info@canyoning.co.nz
Website : http://www.canyoning.co.nz
Phone +64 3 441 3003




Comment : It wicked! Cool! Awesome! Highly recommended for someone with no fear of water and height! You will lead walk to Mt Aspiring to the rain forest before hitting the river. Combining slides, scrambles, jumps (big jumps actually), abseil and zipline cable. Very capable guides. This activities supported by The North Face.


Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 5
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 2
Overall : 19

Trekking at Milford Track the finest walks in the world
Price NZ$120 including stay 3 night at DOC huts. Duration 4D/3N.
NZ$15 and NZ$17 for boat in and out the track from Te Anau Down.

Contact for booking :

Great Walks Booking Office
Phone: +64 3 249 8514
Fax: +64 3 249 8515
Email: greatwalksbookings@doc.govt.nz
Or click this link directly to check the availability (book well in advanced for summer session)

Comment: indeed this is the finest walk I ever had. The landscape changes every day and always make you enchanting. From lust jungle, into deep river and valley. Climbed up to the Mc Kinnon Pass and end in Milford Sounds, it was a real treat. We did managed to book advanced, and it turned out to be the best options for us. Lots cheaper and lot more challenging! If you don’t have time to book and want to do in luxury type walks you can book via Ultimate Hikes


Points :
Availability 2
Value for money 5
Adrenalin level 4
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 5
Overall : 21



Kayaking at Doubtful Sounds
Price : NZ$205
Duration all day from 7:30 to 6:00pm
Contact :

Reg Calder and Jo Wilson
Owners/Operators
Adventure Kayak & Cruise
Fiordland, New Zealand
E-mail: information@fiordlandadventure.co.nz
Website : http://www.fiordlandadventure.co.nz/
Phone: 64-3-249-6626
Fax: 64-3-249-6923
Freephone in NZ: 0800-324-966

Comment : it started windy in the morning but turned out to be the best day in South Island. Really different experience with Milford Sounds where those too busy with cruise and helicopter flying around. Doubtful Sounds is best to enjoy with tranquil and peaceful mind.

Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 4
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 3
Overall : 19

[Review] : Outdoor Activities in New Zealand (Week One)

We spent last month of 2007 set off for three weeks adventure in South Island of New Zealand. Flew from Taipei we were then stop over in Singapore for three days before continued flight to Christchurch en-route Melbourne (outbound) and Sydney(inbound). We were using Qantas Airways to NZ combined with budget flight JetStar, which I bought from Zuji about six month previously

Most of activities list here booked in NZ rather than make arrangement before hands. It was a busy time (summer in Christmas and New Year) but we managed to get everything fit in our purposes. We’ve only have sort of grand idea what we would like to do with few changes depends of situation and physical conditions. Using the phone card in public phone was the best way to deal with the Adventure Operator. Please be ready with your credit card in hand because that’s the only way your booking guaranteed.

I review activities based on :

Availability –how easy to book
Value for money –is it worth for doing these
Adrenalin level –scary enough for you
Scenery –the landscape surrounding
Photography opportunity -manage in difficult environment

The point based 1-5 which are: naf (1), ok(2), good (3), very good (4) and awesome (5).

Tandem Across the longest swing bridge in NZ
Price each NZ$25
Booked on the spot
Contact :
Highway 6, Upper Buller Gorge, Box 77 Murchison, New Zealand
Phone (03) 523 9809 Fax (03)523 9807,
Email: swingbridge@bullergorge.co.nz
Website : http://www.bullergorge.co.nz/

Comment: We did walked bits after 100m long cross the Buller Gorge. It was quite scary. But the tandem foxing was exciting. Not really thrilling for me though. I need more challenge!

Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 4
Adrenalin level 2
Scenery 2
Photography opportunity 3
Overall : 13

Whitewater rafting in Buller River
Price NZ$105 per person afternoon session
River Class 3-4 duration 4.5 hrs
Contact :
51 Fairfax Street, Murchison New Zealand
Ph: +64-3-523 9899
Fax: +64-3-523 9811
Free phone: 0800 RIVERS (0800 748377)
Emai ultimate@rivers.co.nz
Website : http://www.rivers.co.nz/

Comment : This is definite thing to do in South Island. The river was great specially the Ariki Falls. Experienced guide, lovely café next door, very good facility, nice cup a tea, and excellent photo taking! Highly recommended.

Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 4
Adrenalin level 5
Scenery 3
Photography opportunity 2
Overall: 18

Underworld Rafting at Nile River
Price NZ$135 per person
Duration 4 hrs afternoon session
Contact :
Norwest Adventures Ltd.
182 Queen St
Westport
New Zealand
Phone: ++64 3 788 8168
New Zealand Freephone: 0800 11 6686
Email contact@caverafting.com
Website : http://www.caverafting.com/

Comment : great experience for rafting using big tracktor rubber in the cave. Glowworm was the best one! It’s even better than glow worm cave in Te Anau. Recommended!

Points :
Availability 4
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 3
Scenery 3
Photography opportunity 3
Overall : 16


Helicopter Flight to Fox Glacier and Mt Cook

Price NZ$250 per person in 30 minutes flight
Contact :
Glacier Helicopters Ltd
Main Road
Fox Glacier, New Zealand
Freephone: 0800 800 732 (within NZ only)
Phone: +64 3 751 0803
Fax: +64 3 751 0709
Email: fox@glacierhelicopters.co.nz
Website : http://www.glacierhelicopters.co.nz/

Comment : originally we were looking for heli hiking which take you to the glacier and walk up to the top. Because we were not have a good preparation, most of flight was fully booked in Franz Josef. Yes it was quite expensive but trust me it worth for every penny!

Points :
Availability 2
Value for money 2
Adrenalin level 4
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 5
Overall : 18


Ice Climbing at Franz Josef Glacier
Price NZ$220 per person
Duration all day, start 06:30am to 4:00pm
All equipment provided
Contact :
State Highway 6,
Main Road, Franz Josef Glacier
Telephone +64 3 752 0763
Freephone 0800GUIDES (484 337)
Fax +64 3 752 0102
Email : walks@franzjosefglacier.com
Website : http://franzjosefglacier.com/

Comment: Highly recommended for adrenaline junkies. If you are adventure enough you should try this first hand. It was quite stamina challenging as you have to walk up moraine for about an hour the set up several climbing walls. The climbing was straightforward with several technical opportunities.

Points :
Availability 3
Value for money 3
Adrenalin level 5
Scenery 5
Photography opportunity 5
Overall : 21

Tips Mencegah Hyphothermia

Sebagian besar tewasnya pendaki di Indonesia adalah kurangnya persiapan baik alat maupun bekal. Ataupun kurangnya pengetahuan survival sehingga jatuh dalam kondisi hypothermia akut.

Yang terpenting dalam kegiatan naik gunung atau kegiatan diluar (outdoor) adalah persiapan dan pengetahuan. Salah satunya mengetahui faktor apa penyebab hypothermia, gimana mencegah hal itu terjadi, apa aja yang perlu dilakukan dan juga tindakan apa yang perlu dilakukan kalau mulai merasakan kedinginan.

Berikut adalah tips mencegah hypothermia di gunung :

1. Usahakan kalau naik gunung jangan memakai kaos dari katun. Bahan katun jika basah keringat sulit keringnya. Ini biasanya menyebabkan menggigil kedinginan walaupun sudah memakai jaket tebal. Sebaiknya memakai bahan sintetis (polyester/spandex/nylon) yang menyerap keringat dan berlengan panjang. Memang sih bisa ganti kaos, tapi di gunung yang sering ujan mengeringkan kaos jadi pekerjaan tersendiri. Ngeringin make api unggun wah jangan deh. Kasihan hutan kita. Cobalah mengurangi konsumsi kayu kecuali itu sangat darurat.

2. Bawa bekal yang cukup untuk naik gunung. Bekal praktis seperti coklat batangan, muesli bar, atau energy booster (seperti gel dengan glukosa, biasanya dipakai para pesepeda) sangat berguna sebagai cadangan makanan yang ringan dibawa dan menghasilkan energi lumayan. Juga biasakan mengamati sekitar, jika melewati air sungai atau daun2an yang kita kenali bisa dimakan kalau kepepet.

Dari kiri ke kanan : selimut darurat , makanan energi Bawah: pisau, kompas, headlamp > biasanya ditaruh di ransel bagian atas (gambar koleksi pribadi)

3. Menjaga tubuh tetap kering dan hangat. Salah satunya bawa ponco bagaimanapun kondisinya. Kalau punya baju dan jaket tahan air (gore-tex based) juga bisa (tapi ini mahal di ongkos). Jangan lupa kaos tangan dan kaos kaki. Khusus kaos kaki bawa ekstra jika perlu. Biarpun cuma bawa satu baju tapi tetep kering akan sangat berbeda hasilnya dengan bawa 3 baju tapi basah semua.

4. Kalau jalan sendiri siapkan piranti darurat komunikasi, kalau dengan teman harus saling menjaga. Hape kadang kurang efektif karena sinyal ngga ada. Bawa alat darurat sinyal seperti peluit atau cermin. Biasakan saling memperhatikan pendaki lain ketika naik atau turun.

5. Jangan paksakan jalan terus kalau kelelahan dan kecapaian. Berhenti, pasang tenda dan buat makanan/minuman yang cepat dihidangkan seperti teh manis atau sup instant. Paksakan jika enggak doyan. Karena makanan adalah sumber energi untuk tetep jalan. Selain itu makanan juga membuat tubuh jadi hangat karena memulai metabolisme tubuh.

6. Bawa selimut darurat (emergency blanket or space blanket). Ini mungkin sudah ada di Indonesia. Bentuknya seperti lapisan aluminium foil yang tipis dan dipakai untuk menyelimuti tubuh. Fungsinya : membuat tubuh tetap hangat, merefleksikan sinar matahari dan ngga kehujanan. Harganya USD$3.95 sangat ringan. Space blanket ini hanya bersifat memantulkan panas tubuh. Untuk mendapatkan hasil maksimal bisa dibawa Bivy Sack yang terbukti lebih baik hasilnya. Bentuknya seperti selimut plastik, dengan berat sekitar 200gr. Tapi agak mahalan US$33, ditanggung lebih tahan lama dari space blanket.

7. Penghangat tubuh sementara (body warmer). Ini semacam plester tubuh kalau kedinginan. Biasa dipakai untuk yang melakukan olahraga ektrem di salju (ski, ice climbing, mountaineering). Kelemahannya : hanya bisa dipakai sekali saja dengan durasi 12 jam. Karena bentuknya tipis dan ringan, biasanya diselipkan di jaket kalau kondisi cuaca dan badan memburuk. Harganya agak mahal, sekitar US$68 untuk 40 plester. Ada juga yang dijual eceran. Seingat saya di Toko Outdoor Singapura ada yang jual (atau saya beli di tempat lain maaf).

Sekali lagi saya ingatkan dengan alat yang memadai tapi ngga tahu bagaimana menggunakan, hasilnya juga ngga optimal. Jadi baca dan simak bagaimana melakukan teknik dasar survival di gunung. Bisa baca, nanya atau dari pengalaman yang terus diasah.

Yeni Siregar and Safety Concern on Outdoor Activities in Indonesia

The death of Yeni Siregar, a 19 years old student of Gadjah Mada University during outdoor basic training in the village on foot of Mt Lawu left another scar on the outdoor community in Indonesia. She presumably dead after lengthy 9 days training in temperamental tropical weather. She suspected being hypothermia, being so tired after reckless sessions and also probably from stomach cramps she had in early days.

About the same time (2nd February 2008) another accident happen to Bagja Gunawan 19 years student at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in Bandung West Java. He presumably died during basic training in Mt Gundul, Cisolok.

Another recent record on June last year, a climber Djumadi 42 years old died in Mt Sumbing Central Java which he have been trapped in forest fire. While Nurdianto 18 years old died in Mt Ciremai West Java because of hypothermia. His body has been found near the summit.

The most lethal accident that shocked the public was on March 2007 when seven climbers in Mr Rinjani (3726mdpl), Lombok died near the rim. They suffered from cold and thought all starved during monsoon season January-March. Most of them were ill prepared, and don’t have survival knowledge in outdoor activities.

Apart from that I was fully concern about Yeni and Bagja who died while doing basic training. Some thought there were possible violence or physical abused during initiation sessions. But I will only give attention about the length of training and people ability to cope with such harsh condition in the mountain particularly long-term periods.

Yeni and Bagja, both just started to know outdoor activities. Like most of Indonesians like me who got training as early on high school as part of extra curriculum. If you are lucky or really like outdoor you can continue into university level. There will ‘harder’ and prestigious if you graduated from so called basic training and became member of Mapala (Students Organization of Nature Loving).

Indeed, Yeni was died because she was insisted to stay in the village because she was nearly finish. While others ignored the signs of tiredness and hypothermia and her ‘grump’ about stomach cramps. The symptoms were exists not in sudden situations, but grows in matters of hours even days. I read the press release wrote by M Hilman Triandi Sukma who supposed to be responsible on the field. I was amazed by the length of the training which is 9 solid days. It said weather was quite mixed between heavy rain and windy.

For me, nine days are too long for the training. I assumed these poor students did not have outdoor experiences before. Yes it can be hell for them. Learning many thing in outside their comfort zone, living in tents, eating rough food and even survival training in 2.5 days. As a member of training you should submitted letter of consent from parents/guardians and letter from doctor declare that you are fit enough to face the battle with nature and possibly your seniors.

When the weather not in your side, the body react really quickly to adopt the change environment. Wet is the enemy number one. Because once you’ve get wet, your body release calories to keep your body warms. Means eating your body fat and consumptions. If you do outdoor and feeling so tired, your appetite went far. You’ve become lazy taking food, don’t want anything even the best food in the world served in your face.

Then if you lose appetite, not enough food intake you’ve become tired. Wet body leading into bitterly cold and you will start shivering. If that conditions getting worse, yes you get hypothermia.

That’s what I reckons happen on Yeni. She already showed the symptoms, tell her friends about her feeling. But rather follow the strict rule to save her, she’s been allowed to back to camp. The hours gap between that are crucial to keep her warm and well feed.

In the outdoors, things can be wrong. But the knowledge and close examination of our partner are crucial when she/he had to follow order. It’s for their good’s sake, for their own safety.

To : Yeni who loves nature so much it lead into her death.

Numpak Tabung Sowan Sang Ratu

Kalau ada kesempatan ronda ke London, saya selalu numpak Tube. Nama resminya sih Underground tapi orang lebih suka memanggilnya si tabung. Lah memang bentuknya seperti silinder. Sistem kereta bawah tanah ini tercatat paling tua di dunia, menunjukkan kejayaan Inggris era 'revolusi industri'. Cara membangunnya juga masih manual alias dipacul dan ditahan dengan batu-bata.

Karena terkesan tua, jadi sepertinya menakutkan. Padahal sebenarnya paling mengasyikkan. Seperti menyusuri bagian gelap dan tersembunyi. Ketemu karakter menarik. Bahkan kalau mau cobalah di saat sibuk, si tabung ini akan dipenuhi manusia2 kosmopolitan. Bicara dengan bahasa entah darimana.

Si Tabung ini lebih murah kalau dipakai untuk plesir sehari daripada naik turun bis. Kereta-nya pun juga yah lumayan-lah. Hal pertama yang patut diperhatikan adalah soal membaca peta kereta. Ini yang rada membingungkan bagi yang bukan anggota Anker (Anak Kreta). Makanya ilmu kasekten Jalan Kereta Api I dan II terbukti ampuh dipake disini.

Sebenarnya ngga sulit kok baca peta, yang jelas bawa peta kota juga. Nah keduanya tersedia FREE di stasiun2 terdekat. Bahkan ada yang ukuran pas di dompet. Enak toh.. Yang jelas jalur kereta dibagi dengan warna dan nama. Ah ya kalau njenengan pernah ngrasain MRT Singapura wes itu persis plek. Cuma yang membedakan adalah sistem tiketnya.

Tube memakai dua sistem yakni Travelcard (cara lama) atau dengan Oyster Card (cashcard). Travelcard didasarkan zona atau wilayah. Terbagi atas 1-9 zona dengan paling kecil adalah paling mahal. Taripnya juga kalau peak hour (jam sibuk) bisa membengkak. Sedang Oyster walau juga pake zona tapi bisa dipakai untuk ngebis, tram dan kereta jarak jauh. Oyster juga bisa dipakai menyimpan seperti Travelcard pay as you go. Makenya juga ngga dimasukkan ke mesin seperti Travelcard, tapi cukup di dekatkan scan aja ketika naik dan turun. Jadi gini aja deh : Oyster itu mencoba menggantikan peran Travelcard tapi belum kesampaian. He he he...itu karena begitu rumitnya sistem ticketing kereta di London saking banyaknya operator.

So mana yang mau dipakai yah. Itu terserah sampeyan. Kalau cuma beberapa hari saja, yah pake Oyster sesuai dengan jumlah duit. Biasanya minimum 7 hari. Belinya dimana? halah wong di stasiun juga ada, agen koran pojokan juga bisa. Internet, telpon, atau Information Centre (itu yang ada tanda 'i' gede di plang).

Jadi kalau mau sowan sang ratu, nengokin Harrods atau pengen membalik waktu seperti mbak Gwyneth Paltrow silakan dicoba si tabung ini.

Mbok Emban, kowe iki sapa?

Sejak kecil saya akrab dengan kethoprak. Sori, ini bukan makanan tapi adalah pentas teater rakyat yang mengambil cerita Babad Tanah Jawi atau sejarah/legenda Mataram sebelum dan selama pengaruh Islam abad14an. Cerita dalam kethoprak itu macam2, tapi kebanyakan adalah tentang konflik kerajaan, intrik persaingan politik dan pengaruh, romans atau juga pengkhianatan. Kalau mau puas silakan baca cerita panjang karya SH Mintardja seperti Api di Bukit Menoreh atau Nagasasra Sabuk Inten.

Dalam kethoprak ada satu karakter yang selalu harus ada. Dialah Mbok Emban. Tugasnya adalah menjaga Gusti Putri (tuan putri) di Keputren (taman khusus untuk putri, selir dan permaisuri). Deskrepsi tugasnya lengkap, mulai dari menghibur sang putri jika ditinggal pacar/suami/kekasih. Memijiti kaki kalau capek, merawat badan dan rambut (adegannya kadang si mbok menyisir rambut sang putri yang panjang). Ia juga berkewajiban menjaga keselamatan lahir dan batin termasuk menyertai jika dalam pengungsian akibat perang atau ancaman perkosaan penjahat (begal kecu garong). Si Mbok juga adalah pengabdian seumur hidup. Terkadang ia sudah menjadi employee sebelum gusti raden ajeng dilahirkan, menyertainya melewati masa puber, menikah, punya anak bahkan mungkin berpindah boss ke generasi berikutnya.

Jadi tugas utamanya memang pembantu umum. Dalam pergerakan sosial, ketika aristokrat masih membawa peran mbok emban dalam masyarakat modern, perannya ini dianalogikan dengan 'pembantu' atau batur atau rewang. Bahkan kita masih memanggil si Mbok pada pembantu rumah tangga yang sekiranya berusia jauh diatas kita. Sebagai bentuk penghormatan. Bukti masih ada keterikatan sejarah. Bukti kita masih ingat peran mereka ratusan tahun silam.

Mbok Emban menjadi jarang diucapkan, menjadi hanya si mbok saja. Inipun sebenarnya menegasikan Mbok Emban dengan menunjuk 'si' yang lebih terasa orang ketiga, bukan sedulur, atau bagian dari keluarga. Ia tidak lagi sedekat dulu, tidak lagi mempunyai nilai kesetiaan tinggi, pengabdian seumur hidup. Saat ini Mbok Emban lebih sebagai sebuah hubungan juragan-batur kapitalis. Jadi fungsi-nya saat ini diambil alih oleh Maid atau apalah namanya dengan embel2 kontrak kerja dan gaji.

Walaupun secara sosial Mbok Emban itu adalah terendah (itu jika kita menganggap kasta Jawa masih berlaku : kastriyan merujuk working class dan pembantu, buruh, uneducated sebagai the bottom class), tapi karakternya selalu ditunggu dalam pentas kethoprak. Sebabnya? ia adalah ice breaker, membuat karakter tuan putri yang boring (yang sok njelehi tenan) jadi lebih menarik, apalagi jika ada sparring partner pembantu laki2 yang sama2 ndagel alias melucu abis. Seperti karakter Punakawan dalam jejer wayang kulit. Tidak mengambil peran penting tapi sangat dinantikan kemunculannya.

Saya merindukan karakter Mbok Emban, atau saya kangen main kethoprak ya? plis deh hilangkan sinetron dan ganti kethoprak aja deh.

ps : gambar diambil di Imogiri, dengan pakaian yang menunjukkan sangat sederhana. Mirip dengan Mbok Emban, hanya untuk dandanan kemben atasannya sedikit beda.

Rumah Keong Besar itu

Setiap kali saya melihat photo Sydney House Opera, saya selalu membayangkan duhai cantiknya gedung ini, engineering marvelous, civil engineering challenge. Sebagai tukang, saya gumun dengan kemampuan mendesain beton menjadi bentuk nan indah begini. Wih apalagi kalau diterangi cahaya malam, ampuh tenan.

Maka saya agak kecewa ketika disana. Saya lupa, gedung ini seumuran saya, yang mungkin mulai menampakkan tanda usia. Agak surprise juga melihat atapnya dari keramik. Atap dengan bentuk keong yang menjulang ternyata tidak segagah yang saya bayangkan. Wah memang enggak seindah aslinya. He he he..

Apalagi saya cuma mampir sebentar. Tahun lalu 2007, Sydney Opera House dimasukkan dalam daftar World Heritage UNESCO. Bersama dengan Patung Liberty di NY, mereka adalah karya kontemporer yang bisa menyusup daftar panjang WH. Sydney ternyata adalah sebuah kota yang vibrant. Saya menikmati walau hanya sejenak.

Untuk seorang kawan yang baru menginjak Sydney (ia mengingatkan saya akan gedung ini).